7.2-magnitude earthquake shakes Mexico

Share via e-mail

The earthquake on Friday was centered in the southern state of Guerrero and left damage in its capital, Chilpancingo.

By Jose Antonio RiveraAssociated Press
April 19, 2014

ACAPULCO, Mexico — A powerful 7.2-magnitude earthquake shook central and southern Mexico on Friday, sending panicked people into the streets. Some walls cracked and fell, but there were no reports of major damage or casualties.

The US Geological Survey said the quake at about 9:30 a.m. was centered on a long-dormant fault line northwest of the Pacific resort of Acapulco, where many Mexicans are vacationing for the Easter holiday. It was felt across at least a half-dozen states and Mexico’s capital, where it collapsed several walls and left larges cracks in some facades. Debris covered sidewalks around the city.

Around the region, there were reports of isolated and minor damage, such as fallen fences, trees, and broken windows. Chilpancingo, capital of the southern state of Guerrero, where the quake was centered, reported a power outage, but service was restored after 15 minutes.

In Acapulco, Enedina Ramirez Perez was having breakfast, enjoying the holiday with about 20 family members, when her hotel started to shake. ‘‘People were turning over chairs in their desperation to get out, grabbing children, trampling people,’’ the Mexico City woman said. ‘‘The hotel security was excellent and started calming people down. They got everyone to leave quietly.’’

The quake struck 170 miles southwest of Mexico City, where people fled high-rises and took to the streets, many in still in their bathrobes and pajamas on their day off.